Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield believes the Melbourne Storm must release Jason Ryles so the incoming Eels coach can begin overhauling the struggling club’s roster.
Speaking on Monday night’s NRL 360, The Daily Telegraph’s Rothfield was adamant Ryles shouldn’t remain at the Storm for the remainder of 2024.
“He’s now employed by another club to plan for next year,” Rothfield said.
“If you’re working for another employer, you’ve got to go.”
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Rothfield cited how Ryles’ former employers, the Sydney Roosters, told him to leave when it was revealed he was talking to St George about their vacant head coaching role last year.
He believes Ryles has “got to be full-time” especially considering the several key roster decisions the rookie head coach will need to make when he assumes his duties at Parramatta.
However, Brisbane Broncos legend Gorden Tallis questioned whether the same conditions applied to Wayne Bennett, who is currently coaching the Dolphins but will return to the top job at South Sydney next season.
“Wayne’s different,” Rothfield answered.
Tallis then asked: “Didn’t (Dragons coach) Shane Flanagan do it at Manly last year? And he’s going alright.”
“You didn’t blow up about that one, did ya?” Read added.
“Is that because he’s your mate?”
However, Rothfield remained insistent Ryles must begin his role as Parramatta head coach earlier than anticipated, largely because of the mammoth roster rebuild he faces.
It comes as Brent Read informed the panel Ryles, who was announced as the next Eels coach earlier this month, will meet with Storm management on Tuesday to decide his immediate future.
“He’s got a meeting with Matt Tripp, the owner, to talk about his future and I’d expect if Rylesy wants to go they won’t stand in his way because they’ve got great respect for him and they appreciate what he’s done for the club,” Read said.
Ryles is expected to be granted a release from his Storm deal and begin assessing the complicated salary cap issues at Parramatta, which includes several high-profile stars’ contracts containing ‘get out’ clauses.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta stressed the incoming Eels coach has “a big job on his hands with that rebuild.”
“He knocked back the Dragons because of their roster and the job that he had on his hands there. But this is turning out to be a huge challenge for Rylesy.”
Alongside the likes of Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses having get out clauses in the contracts, Ryles is expected to evaluate the club’s forward pack and prioritise the re-signing of young gun Blaize Talagi.
Read reported that Ryan Matterson and Maika Sivo have also been informed the club won’t stand in their way if another club offers them a deal, although the likes of Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, two of the club’s highest paid players, have been informed they’re still wanted by the club.
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Anasta feels the contract of Paulo, who is reportedly earning around $950,000 per season, and Campbell-Gillard would handcuff the Eels’ new coach, should he target a forward pack rebuild.
“Say Jason comes in and he’s thinking ‘I want to change up the forward pack here’, he can’t because they’re on such big dollars,” he said.
Read informed Anasta the club’s cap issues are “only for 12 months” given the club have 12 forwards off contract at the end of next season, including J’maine Hopgood, Bryce Cartwright and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
“They’ve got so much money to spend in 2026,” he said.
“If he (Ryles) can make some subtle changes this off-season, bring a couple of guys in, freshen it up. The year after they’ve got a ton of room to move.”